Circuits, networks, and HIV risk management.
Drawing on a survey of men who have sex with men conducted at Toronto's largest gay and lesbian event (N = 947), this study examines the characteristics of men who report that they like to participate in the "bareback scene" and cruise "bareback Web sites" by comparing them with men who (a) report having had at least one incident of unprotected anal intercourse but no bareback connections, or (b) report consistently protected anal intercourse (UAI). Overall, 62.0% of the surveyed men reported having had a casual male partner in the last 6 months, 14.2% of whom reported having had UAI. Including these men, with men who report UAI with or without ejaculation, with casual or regular partners, accounts for 40.6% of the sample. MSM in bareback scenes or Web sites form a circuit insofar as they are significantly overrepresented in a set of bars, baths, parks, and Web sites, that aligns closely with one of the circuits identified in a factor analysis of venues attended by men in the sample. They also show a distinctive pattern of beliefs and perceptions of appropriate norms for sexual conduct, and are more likely to have had five or more partners in the last 6 months.
Adam
Barry D
BD
University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. adam@uwindsor.ca
Husbands
Winston
W
Murray
James
J
Maxwell
John
J
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*